Absinth Wormwood

Description: Artemisia Absinthium L.

Asteraceae - (Sunflower family)

Absinth Wormwood is a perennial forb or herb with a strong sage fragrance dying back to the ground every year. It is commonly 3 feet tall at maturity, and divided two or three times into deeply lobed leaflets. Leaves are covered with fine silky hairs giving the plant a grayish appearance. Flower stalks appear at each upper leaf node, producing numerous flower heads, appearing from late July through August. The seed is less than 1/16 inch long, smooth, flattened, and light gray-brown.

Absinth Wormwood is an escaped ornamental which was grown for its sage flavor. Young flower heads are the source of an oil used in preparation of vermouth and absinth. The oil of absinth wormwood is an active ingredient in antiseptic liniments. Absinth wormwood will taint milk of cattle.

Non-standard names: American or common wormwood, mugwort or madderwort, and wormwood sage.

(Courtesy of Weeds of the West)

CONTROL STRATEGIES:

The only herbicide listed to control Absinth wormwood is Clarity.  The best success will come from careful grazing to prevent bare ground which facilitates its establishment. Live stock will not eat it due to the flavor.